Christmas Bar Cookies Recipe
Introduction
These festive Christmas Bar Cookies are a delightful treat packed with colorful M&M’s, chocolate chips, and holiday sprinkles. Perfect for sharing at holiday parties or enjoying as a sweet seasonal snack, they bake up soft, chewy, and irresistibly festive.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup red and green M&M’s
- ¼ cup Christmas jimmies
- Christmas sprinkles (optional, for sprinkling over baked bars)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush an 8×8-inch square baking pan with a bit of the melted butter and line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk the remaining melted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract and whisk until fully combined.
- Step 3: Stir in the flour and salt just until the mixture is moistened. Be careful not to over-mix to keep the bars tender.
- Step 4: Gently fold in ½ cup chocolate chips, ⅓ cup of the red and green M&M’s, and the Christmas jimmies.
- Step 5: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle the remaining M&M’s evenly over the top.
- Step 6: Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: Place the pan on a wire rack. While still warm, sprinkle additional Christmas sprinkles over the top if desired. Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out, then cut into squares and serve.
Tips & Variations
- For extra richness, substitute half of the butter with browned butter for a nutty flavor.
- Swap out the chocolate chips for white chocolate or peanut butter chips to change up the taste.
- If you prefer a crunchier texture, bake for an additional 3–5 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Use gluten-free all-purpose flour to make this recipe gluten-free without altering the texture.
Storage
Store the Christmas bar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to one week or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm a piece in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to enjoy a freshly baked feel.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, these bars can be baked up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
Absolutely! Milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips will work just fine and can be used based on your preference.
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Christmas Bar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Description
These festive Christmas Bar Cookies blend the classic flavors of buttery blondies with colorful holiday-themed M&M’s, chocolate chips, and sprinkles. Perfect for celebrating with family and friends, these easy-to-make bars feature a soft, chewy texture and a delightful crunch of chocolate and candy toppings, making them a sweet centerpiece for any holiday dessert spread.
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Mix-ins and Toppings
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup red and green M&M’s (divided: ⅓ cup in batter and remainder for topping)
- ¼ cup Christmas jimmies
- Christmas sprinkles (for sprinkling over the baked cookie bars, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly brush an 8×8-inch square baking pan with some melted butter and line it with parchment paper, ensuring there is a 2-inch overhang on two sides for easy lifting later.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the remaining melted butter together with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, whisking until fully incorporated and the mixture is creamy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix gently just until the flour is moistened to avoid over-working the dough which can toughen the bars.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold in ½ cup of the semi-sweet chocolate chips, ⅓ cup of the red and green M&M’s, and the Christmas jimmies into the batter, distributing evenly.
- Transfer and Top: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the surface with a rubber spatula. Evenly sprinkle the remaining M&M’s over the top to create a colorful festive look.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully baked.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. If desired, sprinkle Christmas sprinkles over the warm bars for additional decoration. Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out and transfer them to a cutting board. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Ensure the egg is at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Do not overmix the flour into the batter to keep the bars tender.
- Parchment paper with overhang makes removing bars from the pan easier and cleaner.
- Feel free to customize the toppings with other festive candies or nuts.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday bars, blondies, festive dessert, chocolate chip bars, M&M cookie bars, Christmas baking
